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Clarke names four-pronged pace attack for SCG

Mitchell Starc (R) returns to the Test side alongside the three pacemen who featured in Melbourne.

AAP: Chris Crerar

Michael Clarke has opted for a four-prong pace attack on a green Sydney wicket in the third and final Test against Sri Lanka.

The third Test of the three-match series - which the hosts lead 2-0 - may be a dead rubber but will certainly be an emotional affair, with Michael Hussey playing his last Test for Australia after announcing his retirement from the long form of the game.

Australia's SCG Test side

Michael Clarke (capt)

Ed Cowan

David Warner

Phil Hughes

Michael Hussey

Matthew Wade

Mitchell Johnson

Mitchell Starc

Peter Siddle

Nathan Lyon

Jackson Bird

Glenn Maxwell (12th man)

The match, which begins tomorrow, will also be a chance to farewell former England opener and Channel Nine commentator Tony Greig, who died of a heart attack on Saturday, before the SCG marks Jane McGrath day on January 5.

With a surprisingly green pitch being prepared, Clarke has opted to keep faith in Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and MCG debutant Jackson Bird, as Mitchell Starc comes back into the Test fold.

Nathan Lyon will continue to lead Australia's spin attack on a tweaker-friendly SCG pitch.

Glenn Maxwell has been named 12th man, after being tipped to come in as a straight all-rounder replacement for the injured Shane Watson.

Instead, Starc comes in with Johnson taking on the all-rounder mantle and batting at number seven.

Watson only bowled three overs on the first day of the second Test at the MCG before suffering a calf injury. He did not bowl for the remainder of the match.

"The boys bowled really well in the last Test, and bringing Mitchell Starc back into the team obviously helps our attack, especially with the form he's in," Clarke said.

"Mitchell Johnson's batting as well as an all-rounder now anyway.

"I'm confident we've got enough batting still with Matthew Wade at six and Mitchell Johnson at seven and we've got extra bowling which is a real positive for us."